U.S. patent application number 10/663510 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for remote control device.
Invention is credited to Matsui, Gantetsu.
Application Number | 20040121725 10/663510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32599223 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040121725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsui, Gantetsu |
June 24, 2004 |
Remote control device
Abstract
A remote control device, which controls any of a plurality of
apparatuses by transmitting a remote control signal for controlling
a target apparatus in response to a user operation, detects a
position of the remote control device and generates self-position
information indicating the position, and specifies one of the
apparatuses that is the closest in distance from the remote control
device, as the target apparatus, based on the generated
self-position information and a predetermined criterion. When the
remote control device detects a user operation, the remote control
device transmits a remote control signal corresponding to the
detected user operation.
Inventors: |
Matsui, Gantetsu;
(Nishinomiya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SNELL & WILMER LLP
1920 MAIN STREET
SUITE 1200
IRVINE
CA
92614-7230
US
|
Family ID: |
32599223 |
Appl. No.: |
10/663510 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/3.06 ;
348/E5.103; 455/41.2; 455/456.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20130101;
G08C 23/04 20130101; G08C 2201/71 20130101; G08C 2201/91 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/003.06 ;
455/041.2; 455/456.1 |
International
Class: |
H04H 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2002 |
JP |
JP2002-283173 |
Apr 3, 2003 |
JP |
JP2003-100292 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A remote control device that controls any of a plurality of
apparatuses by transmitting a remote control signal for controlling
a target apparatus in response to a user operation, comprising: a
self-position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the
remote control device and generate self-position information
indicating the position; an apparatus specifying unit operable to
specify one of the apparatuses as the target apparatus, based on
the generated self-position information and a predetermined
criterion; a control operation detecting unit operable to detect a
user operation; and a transmitting unit operable to transmit a
remote control signal corresponding to the detected user
operation.
2. A remote control device according to claim 1, further
comprising: an apparatus position obtaining unit operable to obtain
apparatus position information indicating positions of the
apparatuses, wherein the apparatus specifying unit specifies one of
the apparatuses as the target apparatus based on the obtained
apparatus position information, and the predetermined criterion is
a positional relation between the remote control device and each of
the apparatuses.
3. A remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the
apparatus specifying unit specifies one of the apparatuses as the
target apparatus based on a distance between the remote control
device and each of the apparatuses, the distance being calculated
by referring to the obtained apparatus position information and the
generated self-position information.
4. A remote control device according to claim 3, wherein the
apparatus specifying unit specifies, as the target apparatus, an
apparatus that is closest in distance to the remote control device
out of the apparatuses.
5. A remote control device according to claim 4, further
comprising: a switch operation detecting unit operable to detect a
user operation for switching the target apparatus, wherein when the
switch operation detecting unit detects the user operation for
switching the target apparatus after at least one of the
apparatuses has already been specified, the apparatus specifying
unit newly specifies, as the target apparatus, an apparatus that is
next closest in distance to the remote control device with respect
to a last specified apparatus, and the remote control signal
transmitted from the transmitting unit is for controlling the newly
specified apparatus and corresponding to the user operation
detected by the controlling operation detecting unit.
6. A remote control device according to claim 5, further
comprising: an apparatus information obtaining unit operable to
obtain apparatus information corresponding to an apparatus
specified as the target apparatus by the apparatus specifying unit;
and an image displaying unit operable to display an image, every
time the apparatus specifying unit newly specifies one of the
apparatuses, based on the apparatus information corresponding to
the newly specified apparatus.
7. A remote control device according to claim 6, wherein the
apparatus information obtaining unit makes a request to the
apparatus for the apparatus information of the apparatus and
obtains the apparatus information from the apparatus by
communicating with the apparatus specified by the apparatus
specifying unit; and the transmitting unit transmits a remote
control signal determined based on the obtained apparatus
information corresponding to the newly specified apparatus, the
remote control signal corresponding to the operation detected by
the control operation detecting unit.
8. A remote control device according to claim 5, wherein the switch
operation detecting unit detects the user operation for switching
the target apparatus by sensing a vibration stronger than a
predetermined intensity.
9. A remote control device according to claim 3, wherein the
self-position information also indicates a facing direction of the
remote control device, the facing direction corresponding to a
direction in which the transmitting unit transmits the remote
control signals mainly, and the apparatus specifying unit
specifies, as the target apparatus, an apparatus that is closest in
distance to the remote control device out of the apparatuses
positioned in an area within a predetermined angle in the facing
direction of the remote control device.
10. A remote control device according to claim 3 further
comprising: a record storing unit operable to store an operation
history of an apparatus specified as the target apparatus by the
apparatus specifying unit, when the control operation detecting
unit detects the user operation, wherein according to the operation
history stored in the record storing unit, the apparatus specifying
unit specifies, as the target apparatus, one of the apparatuses
whose distance to the remote control device is closer than a
predetermined distance.
11. A remote control device according to claim 3 further
comprising: a time unit for keeping time, wherein according to the
time indicated by the time unit, the apparatus specifying unit
specifies, as the target apparatus, one of the apparatuses whose
distance to the remote control device is closer than a
predetermined distance.
12. A remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the
apparatus position obtaining unit obtains the apparatus position
information by receiving position information from each of the
apparatuses, the position information indicating the position of
the each of the apparatuses, the apparatus position information
being a collection of the position information.
13. A remote control device according to claim 1 further
comprising: an apparatus information obtaining unit operable to
obtain operation information corresponding to an apparatus
specified as the target apparatus by the apparatus specifying unit;
and a display unit operable to display an image based on the
operation information.
14. A remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the
self-position obtaining unit generates the self-position
information by calculating the position of the remote control
device using a GPS function in which radiowaves from GPS satellites
are utilized.
15. A computer program that enables a remote control device to
execute a remote control operation for transmitting a remote
control signal corresponding to any of a plurality of apparatuses,
the remote control operation comprising: a self-position detecting
step for detecting a position of the remote control device and
generate self-position information indicating the position; an
apparatus specifying step for specifying one of the apparatuses as
the target apparatus, based on the generated self-position
information and a predetermined criterion; a control operation
detecting step for detecting a user operation; and a transmitting
step for transmitting a remote control signal corresponding to the
detected user operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a remote control device
that transmits remote control signals to control various
apparatuses, and more specifically, it relates to a remote control
device operable to control each of the apparatuses
individually.
[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, more and more electrical apparatuses, such
as audio-video, air-conditioning, and lighting apparatuses, have
been provided with a function that enables the apparatuses to be
controlled from a distant place using a remote control device
designed for each apparatus.
[0005] A remote control device designed for one apparatus has a
function to send out, according to user operations such as pressing
of a button, an infrared or radiowave remote control signal having
a waveform predetermined as a command for controlling the
apparatus. Accordingly, if the user has the remote control device
designed for the apparatus at hand, the usercan controltheapparatus
instantlybysuchmeans aspressing the button on the remote control
device.
[0006] The number of electrical apparatuses having the remote
control function, however, has become increasingly larger these
days, and it would be inconvenient if the user always has to carry
many kinds of remote control devices designed for each of the
electrical apparatuses in order to control the electrical
apparatuses freely.
[0007] Conventionally, there has been a remote control device
provided with as many buttons as necessary for controlling more
than one apparatus, such as a remote control device having all the
buttons to control both a TV and a VCR, for example. Such a remote
control device has a lot of buttons, however, and it takes more
than a moment for the user to find an appropriate button for a
desired function, and therefore it is not very convenient to use
such a remote control device. Similarly, a remote control device
having a button for switching a target apparatus to be controlled
is not very convenient, because using such a remote control device
increases a number of times to press buttons for the user
operations.
[0008] As one solution to such a problem, Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Application No. H7-123479 discloses a remote control device
operable to transmit remote control signals toward each of a
plurality of apparatuses selectively, and has a light
receptionunitthatreceives light froma predetermineddirection in the
remote control device. The remote control device according to
H7-123479 specifies an apparatus as the target apparatus to be
controlled by an apparatus identification signal from one of the
apparatuses received via the light reception unit, and allocates
the remote control signals for controlling the target apparatus to
each key on the remote control device.
[0009] According to the above-described remote control device, y
adjusting the direction of the remote control device so as to
receive the apparatus identification signal from a desired
apparatus, the user can easily control the desired apparatus.
[0010] However, according to the remote control device of
H7-123479, which specifies an apparatus as the target apparatus by
receiving the apparatus identification signal from the
predetermined direction, it could happen in some cases that the
user controls an apparatus different from an apparatus that the
user has originally intended to control, because the apparatus
identification signal can reflect on house walls and such when used
inside a house. Moreover, when an apparatus A, an apparatus B, and
the remote control device are substantially aligned, and if the
remote control device receives the apparatus identification signal
from the apparatus B, the user controls the apparatus B using the
remote control device even if the user has originally intended to
control the apparatus A.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the above noted problem, an object of the present
invention is to provide a remote control device capable of
controllingmore than one apparatus without increasing the number of
buttons on the remote control device, and allowing a user to
adequately specify a desired apparatus and control the apparatus
without increasing the number of times to press during
operation.
[0012] In order to solve the above noted problem, a remote control
device according to the present invention, that controls any of a
plurality of apparatuses by transmitting a remote control signal
for controlling a target apparatus in response to a user operation,
comprises a self-position detecting unit operable to detect a
position of the remote control device and generate self-position
information indicating the position, an apparatus specifying unit
operable to specify one of the apparatuses as the target apparatus,
based on the generated self-position information and a
predetermined criterion, a control operation detecting unit
operable to detect a user operation, and a transmitting unit
operable to transmit a remote control signal corresponding to the
detected user operation.
[0013] Further, a computer program according to the present
invention, that enables a remote control device to execute a remote
control operation for transmitting a remote control signal
corresponding to any of a plurality of apparatuses, comprises a
self-position detecting step for detecting a position of the remote
control device and generate self-position information indicating
the position, an apparatus specifying step for specifying one of
the apparatuses as the target apparatus, based on the generated
self-position information and a predetermined criterion, a control
operation detecting step for detecting a user operation, and a
transmitting step for transmitting a remote control signal
corresponding to the detected user operation.
[0014] By the above remote control device or computer program, the
target apparatus to be controlled is selected automatically based
on thepositionoftheremote control device. Accordingly, the remote
control device need to have only a sufficient number of buttons for
controlling a selected apparatus, and it is not necessary to have
as many buttons as necessary for controlling all of the apparatuses
that the remote control device is capable of controlling. The user
may control a desired apparatus via the remote control device by
just moving to a particular position that is set for each
apparatus, without pressing a particular button to select the
desired apparatus.
[0015] The remote control device according to the present invention
does not specify an apparatus as the target apparatus by such a
method in which the remote control device receives an apparatus
identification signal from the apparatus, and accordingly, it does
not happen that the remote control device specifies a wrong
apparatus as the target apparatus due to reflection of the
apparatus identification signal on a wall in a house.
[0016] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising an
apparatus position obtaining unit operable to obtain apparatus
position information indicating positions of the apparatuses,
wherein the apparatus specifying unit specifies one of the
apparatuses as the target apparatus based on the obtained apparatus
position information, and the predetermined criterion is a
positional relation between the remote control device and each of
the apparatuses.
[0017] By this, an apparatus is specified as the target apparatus
based on the positional relation between the remote control device
and each of the apparatuses, and accordingly, the user may control
the desired apparatus via the remote control device by moving the
remote control device to change the positional relation, without
pressing a particular button to select the desired apparatus.
[0018] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the apparatus
specifying unit specifies one of the apparatuses as the target
apparatus based on a distance between the remote control device and
each of the apparatuses, the distance being calculated by referring
to the obtained apparatus position information and the generated
self-position information.
[0019] The distance here is one of a three-dimensional distance and
a planar distance.
[0020] By this, the user may control the desired apparatus via the
remote control device by changing the distance between the desired
apparatus and the remote control device.
[0021] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the apparatus
specifying unit specifies, as the target apparatus, an apparatus
that is closest in distance to the remote control device out of the
apparatuses.
[0022] The above remote control device is a so-called multi remote
control. The remote control device also specifies an apparatus that
is the shortest in distance to the remote control device as the
target apparatus. Therefore, the user may easily control the
desired apparatus by carrying the remote control device near the
desired apparatus, without pressing the particular button
toselectthedesiredapparatus. Thus, the remote control device
focuses more on user needs for capability of controlling each
apparatus immediately and freely, using one multi remote control
having an interface that is common to more than one apparatus, than
needs for capability of controlling the apparatus from a distant
place.
[0023] As has been described, the remote control device specifies
an apparatus based on the distance to each of the apparatuses, and
not based on a direction that the remote control device faces.
Taking into consideration that the remote control signals can be
transmitted in all directions as radiowaves and such, it is not
necessary that the user identifies the direction of the remote
control device by a shape of a case of the device, and
possibilities of case design increase. Therefore, it becomes
possible to make the remote control device in a such shape as
spherical and cubic, as well as a wearable remote control device
that can be attached on an arm.
[0024] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising a switch
operation detecting unit operable to detect a user operation for
switching the target apparatus, wherein, when the switch operation
detecting unit detects the user operation for switching the target
apparatus after at least one of the apparatuses has already been
specified, the apparatus specifying unit newly specifies, as the
target apparatus, an apparatus that is next closest in distance to
the remote control device with respect to a last specified
apparatus, and the remote control signal transmitted from the
transmitting unit is for controlling the newly specified apparatus
and corresponding to the user operation detected by the controlling
operation detecting unit.
[0025] By this, the user may easily control the desired apparatus
bypressinga target apparatus switch operation button or shaking the
remote control device, after moving relatively close to the desired
apparatus, without moving the remote control device so as to become
the shortest in distance to the desired apparatus.
[0026] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising an
apparatus information obtaining unit operable to obtain apparatus
information corresponding to an apparatus specified as the target
apparatus by the apparatus specifying unit, and an image displaying
unit operable to display an image, every time the apparatus
specifying unit newly specifies one of the apparatuses, based on
the apparatus information corresponding to the newly specified
apparatus.
[0027] By this, the user may identify which apparatus is currently
specified as the target apparatus by looking at the image displayed
on the remote control device.
[0028] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the apparatus
information obtaining unit makes a request to the apparatus for the
apparatus information of the apparatus and obtains the apparatus
information from the apparatus by communicating with the apparatus
specified by the apparatus specifying unit, and the transmitting
unit transmits a remote control signal determined based on the
obtained apparatus information corresponding to the newly specified
apparatus, the remote control signal corresponding to the operation
detected by the control operation detecting unit.
[0029] By this, the remote control device may receive the
information defining the remote control signals for the target
apparatus, without storing, in a ROM and such, the remote control
signals corresponding to each apparatus in advance. Accordingly,
the remote control device is capable of controlling an apparatus
that is newly developed or on the market.
[0030] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the switch operation
detecting unit detects the user operation for switching the target
apparatus by sensing a vibration stronger than a predetermined
intensity.
[0031] By this, the user may easily control the desired apparatus
by shaking the remote control device and giving a vibration of the
predetermined intensity, after moving relatively close to the
desired apparatus, without moving the remote control device so as
to become the shortest in distance to the desired apparatus. It is
especially useful, when the remote control device and the control
buttons are small, to make it possible that the remote control
device switches an apparatus to be controlled by vibration.
[0032] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the self-position
information also indicates a facing direction of the remote control
device, the facing direction corresponding to a direction in which
the transmitting unit transmits the remote control signals mainly,
and the apparatus specifying unit specifies, as the target
apparatus, an apparatus that is closest in distance to the remote
control device out of the apparatuses positioned in an area within
a predetermined angle in the facing direction of the remote control
device.
[0033] By this, the user may adequately control the desired
apparatus by pointing the remote control device to the desired
apparatus and carrying the remote control device so that the remote
control device becomes the shortest in distance to the desired
apparatus out of apparatuses that are placed in the facing
direction of the remote control device.
[0034] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising a record
storing unit operable to store an operation history of an apparatus
specified as the target apparatus by the apparatus specifying unit,
when the control operation detecting unit detects the user
operation, wherein according to the operation history stored in the
record storing unit, the apparatus specifying unit specifies, as
the target apparatus, one of the apparatuses whose distance to the
remote control device is closer than a predetermined distance.
[0035] By this, it is possible that the remote control device
specifies an apparatus the user usually operates by priority as the
target apparatus, if the apparatus is close to the remote control
device to some extent, and accordingly, it becomes more convenient
for the user.
[0036] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising a time
unit for keeping time, wherein according to the time indicated by
the time unit, the apparatus specifying unit specifies, as the
target apparatus, one of the apparatuses whose distance to the
remote control device is closer than a predetermined distance.
[0037] By this, when the user controls an apparatus every day on a
regular basis, it is possible that the remote control device
specifies and controls the apparatus more quickly.
[0038] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the apparatus
position obtaining unit obtains the apparatus position information
by receiving position information from each of the apparatuses, the
position information indicating the position of the each of the
apparatuses, the apparatus position information being a collection
of the position information.
[0039] By this, the remote control device is capable of operating
even an apparatus placed in a house which the remote control device
is carried in for the first time, without the user inputting
position information of the apparatus directly, because the remote
control device receives the position information from the
apparatus.
[0040] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device further comprising an
apparatus information obtaining unit operable to obtain operation
information corresponding to an apparatus specified as the target
apparatus by the apparatus specifying unit, and a display unit
operable to display an image based on the operation
information.
[0041] By this, the user may confirm which apparatus is currently
specified as the target apparatus.
[0042] A remote control device according to the present invention
may also be the remote control device, wherein the self-position
obtaining unit generates the self-position information by
calculating the position of the remote control device using a GPS
function in which radiowaves from GPS satellites are utilized.
[0043] By this, because the GPS is utilized to calculate the
position of the remote control device, it is not necessary to set
up any particular positioning system in a house.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] These and the other objects, advantages and features of
theinventionwillbecomeapparentfrom thefollowingdescription thereof
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which
illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0045] In the Drawings:
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a remote
control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates a positional relation between each
adiowave source of a positioning system 140 and the remote ontrol
device 100;
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a construction and contents
f apparatus position data;
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an example ofaconstruction and contents f
apparatus control data;
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing an operation of the
remote control device 100;
[0051] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of positions of
various apparatuses placed in a room and a remote control device
carried by a user; FIG. 6A is a top view, and FIG. 6B is a side
view;
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of contents of an apparatus
order table;
[0053] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the remote control device 100
with an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal display 121;
FIG. 8A shows an operation screen for a TV, and FIG. 8B shows an
operation screen for an air-conditioner;
[0054] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a remote control device 400 as a
variation of the embodiment; FIG. 9A shows an operation screen for
a TV, and FIG. 9B shows an operation screen for an air-conditioner;
and
[0055] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explanation of an operation of a
remote control device 500 as another variation of the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0056] The following describes a remote control device according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention in reference to the
drawings.
[0057] [Construction]
[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a remote
control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The drawing additionally illustrates an apparatus 131
and the like that can be controlled by the remote control device
100 as well as a positioning system 140 for calculating a position
of the remote control device 100.
[0059] The remote control device 100, which is a so-called
multi-remote controller, includes a case on which a liquid crystal
display and more than one button are disposed. The case contains a
memory, a processor, an input interface circuit, a circuit for
receiving radiowave from the positioning system 140, a
communicating circuit for communicating with each apparatus
wirelessly, and such.
[0060] Functionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device
100 includes an apparatus communication unit 101, an apparatus
position obtaining unit 102, an apparatus position storing unit
103, an apparatus information obtaining unit 104, an apparatus
information storing unit 105, a self-position detecting unit 106,
an apparatus specifying unit 107, a switch operation detecting unit
108, a display unit 109, a control operation detecting unit 110, a
control unit 111, and a remote control signal transmission control
unit 112.
[0061] The apparatus communication unit 101 is operable to control
the communicating circuit so as to communicate with the apparatuses
131, 132, 134, and the like.
[0062] The apparatus position obtaining unit 102 is operable to
control the apparatus communication unit 101 so as to transmit a
signalrequestingeachof theapparatusesforinformationabout a position
of the apparatus and an apparatus ID, receive the information from
each of the apparatuses in response to the requesting signal, and
update apparatus position data stored in the apparatus position
storing unit 103. Details of the apparatus position data are
explained later.
[0063] The apparatus position storing unit 103 is for storing the
apparatus position data and is a part of a nonvolatile memory.
[0064] The apparatus information obtaining unit 104 is operable to
control the apparatus communication unit 101 so as to transmit a
signal requesting a specific apparatus for information for
specifying a waveform of a remote control signal necessary to
control the specific apparatus and for constructing a operation
screen. The apparatus information obtaining unit 104 also receives
the information from the specific apparatus in response to the
requesting signal, and updates apparatus control data stored in the
apparatus information storing unit 105. Details of the apparatus
control data are explained later.
[0065] The apparatus information storing unit 105 is for storing
the apparatus control data, and is a part of a nonvolatile memory.
The self-position detecting unit 106 is operable to detect a
current position of the remote control device 100. Specifically,
the self-position detecting unit 106 receives signals that are
transmitted in sync at a predetermined cycle from each of 3
radiowave sources of the positioning system 140, and calculate the
current position of the remote control device 100 from actual time
when each signal is received and positions of the 3 radiowave
sources that are set in advance.
[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates a positional relation between each
radiowave source of the positioning system 140 and the remote
control device 100.
[0067] Radiowave sources 140a-140c are, for example, placed at
three distant points in a house, and are connected via wire and
send out signals at the predetermined cycle in sync. The
self-position detecting unit 106 of the remote control device 100
receives the signals and calculates the current position of the
remote control device 100. Examples of algorithms that the
self-position detecting unit 106 may use in calculating the current
position includes an algorithm used in a global positioning system
(GPS), where a recipient's current position is calculated by
radiowaves received from GPS satellites, for example.
[0068] The apparatus specifying unit 107 receives the current
position of the remote control device 100 detected by the
self-position detecting unit 106, andalso receives the apparatus
position data stored in the apparatus position storing unit 103 via
the apparatus position obtaining unit 102. By comparing the
positions, the apparatus specifying unit 107 specifies an apparatus
that is the shortest in distance to the remote control device 100,
as a target apparatus to be controlled, and notifies the control
unit 111 of a result. When the switch operation detecting unit 108
notifies that a switch operation has been performed, the apparatus
specifying unit 107 specifies an apparatus that is the next
shortest in distance to the remote control device 100, as the
target apparatus to be controlled, and notifies the control unit
111 of a result.
[0069] When the switch operation detecting unit 108 detects via the
input interface circuit that a target apparatus switch operation
button, which is disposed on the case of the remote control 100,
has been pressed, the switch operation detecting unit 108 notifies
the apparatus specifying unit 107 that the switch operation has
been performed.
[0070] The display unit 109 displays, on the liquid crystal
display, an image transmitted from the control unit 111.
[0071] When the control operation detecting unit 110 detects a
control operation by a user, i.e. when the control operation
detecting unit 110 detects, via the input interface circuit, that
any of control buttons disposed on the case of the remote control
device 100 has been pressed, the control operation detecting unit
110 notifies the control unit 111 of the pressing of the control
button as well as which control button has been pressed.
[0072] The control unit 111 obtains information, from the apparatus
information obtaining unit 104, for specifying waveforms of remote
control signals that correspond to the target apparatus of which
the apparatus specifying unit 107 has notified, and for
constructing the operation screen. Then the control unit 111
generates the image for the operation screen and transmits the
image to the display unit 109. When the control operation unit 110
notifies the control unit 111 of the pressing of any of the control
buttons, the control unit 111 specifies a remote control signal
corresponding to the pressed control button, and notifies the
remote control signal transmission control unit 112 to transmit the
specified remote control signal.
[0073] The remote control signal transmission control unit 112
transmits, via the apparatus communication unit 101, the remote
control signal that the control unit 111 notified to transmit.
[0074] Each of the above-described functions of the apparatus
position obtaining unit 102, the apparatus information obtaining
unit 104, the self-position detecting unit 106, the apparatus
specifying unit 107, the switch operation detecting unit 108, the
display unit 109, the control unit 111, and the remote control
signal transmission control unit 112 can be realized by the CPU
executing a control program stored in the memory.
[0075] [Apparatus Position Data]
[0076] The apparatus position data stored in the apparatus position
storing unit 103 is explained below.
[0077] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a construction and contents
of apparatus position data.
[0078] Apparatus position data 210 includes an apparatus ID 211, an
x-coordinate 212, a y-coordinate 213, and a z-coordinate 214.
[0079] The apparatus ID 211 is an identifier uniquely set for each
apparatus. The embodiment is explained given that each apparatus is
capable of transmitting its own unique apparatus ID as well as
x-y-z coordinates showing its position, upon request of the remote
control device 100.
[0080] The x-coordinate 212, the y-coordinate 213, and the
z-coordinate 214 are numerical values respectively indicating
distances to east and to south and a height, in centimeter, from a
reference point which is a north-west corner at the level of the
floor in a house.
[0081] In the example in FIG. 3, the x-y-z coordinates of a TV
whose apparatus ID is X0123A shows a point (20, 30, 80).
[0082] [Apparatus Control Data]
[0083] The apparatus control data stored in the apparatus
information storing unit 105 is explained below.
[0084] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a construction and contents
of apparatus control data.
[0085] Apparatus control data 220 includes an apparatus ID 221, an
apparatus name 222, and function numbers 223, function names 224,
and control data 225 for each apparatus. The function numbers 223,
the function names 224, and the control data 225 correspond to each
of functions of a specific apparatus.
[0086] The apparatus ID 221 is an identifier set for the each
apparatus in advance as with the apparatus ID 211 in the apparatus
position data 210.
[0087] The apparatus name 222 is text data indicating a name of a
specific apparatus. The apparatus name 222 of an apparatus
specified by the apparatus specified unit 107 is displayed in the
liquid crystal display as a part of the operation screen so that
the user may identify the target apparatus.
[0088] Each of the function numbers 223 corresponds to each of
identification numbers of the control buttons on the case of the
remote control device 100. For convenience, the embodiment is
explained given that 8 control buttons are disposed on the case of
the remote control device 100 and the function numbers take one of
1-8 respectively.
[0089] The function names 224 are text data indicating names of
specific functions allocated to the buttons that represent the
function numbers 223 corresponding to the function names 224. The
functionnames 224 of theapparatus specifiedbytheapparatus specified
unit 107 are displayed in the liquid crystal display as a part of
the operation screen so that the user may identify which button
corresponds to which function.
[0090] The control data 225 is information for specifying a
waveform of a remote control signal to be transmitted in order that
the target apparatus performs a chosen function allocated to one of
the control buttons corresponding to one of the function numbers
223.
[0091] [Operation]
[0092] The remote control device 100 structured as described in the
above is detailed below.
[0093] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing an operation of the
remote control device 100.
[0094] Upon turning the power on by pressing a power button, the
remote control device 100 starts an operation illustrated in FIG.
5. The remote control device 100 first detects the current position
of the remote control device 100 (Step S1). Specifically, the
self-position detecting unit 106 of the remote control device 100
receives the signals from radiowave sources of the positioning
system 140, calculates the x-y-z coordinates showing the current
position of the remote control device 100 based on the received
signals.
[0095] Further, the remote control device 100 obtains positions of
the apparatuses (Step S12). Specifically, the apparatus position
obtaining unit 102 of the remote control device 100 transmits
signals requesting each of the apparatuses for information about
the current position and the apparatus ID via the communication
unit 101. The apparatus position obtaining unit 102 adds the
information to the apparatus position data stored in the apparatus
position storing unit 103 every time the information from each of
the apparatuses in response to the requesting signal is
received.
[0096] Next, the apparatus specifying unit 107 obtains the current
position of the remote control device 100 from the self-position
detecting unit 106, and also obtains the apparatus position data
stored in the apparatus position storing unit 103 via the apparatus
position obtaining unit 102. By calculating a distance between the
current position of the remote control device 100 and each of the
apparatuses, the apparatus specifying unit 107 puts the apparatuses
in an order according to the distances and generates an apparatus
order list (Step S13). Then, the apparatus specifying unit 107
specifies an apparatus that is the shortest in distance to the
remote control device 100 as the target apparatus, and notifies the
control unit 111 of the apparatus ID of the target apparatus (Step
S14).
[0097] Upon reception of the apparatus ID of the apparatus
specified by the apparatus specifying unit 107, the control unit
111 notifies the apparatus information obtaining unit 104 of the
apparatus ID. In response to the notification, the apparatus
information obtaining unit 104 transmits, to the control unit 111,
information about the apparatus indicated by the apparatus ID to
the control unit 111, if the information has already been stored as
the apparatus control data in the apparatus information storing
unit 105. If the information is not stored in the apparatus
information storing unit 105, the apparatus information obtaining
unit 104 specifies the apparatus by the apparatus ID and
communicates with the apparatus via the communicating unit 101. The
apparatus information obtaining unit 104 then obtains the
information which is for specifying a waveform of a remote control
signal necessary to control the specific apparatus and for
constructing the operation screen, and updates the apparatus
control data based on the obtained information and transmits the
obtained information to the control unit 111 (Step S15).
[0098] After Step S15, based on the information for constructing
the operation screen, the control unit 111 generates the image for
the operation screen and displays the image in the liquid crystal
display via the display unit 109 (Step S16).
[0099] Then, if the switch operation detecting unit 108 detects
pressing of the target apparatus switch operation button by the
user (Step S17), the apparatus specifying unit 107 is notified of
the detection, and specifies an apparatus, as the target apparatus,
that is the next shortest in direction to the remote control device
100, based on the apparatus order list generated in Step S13, and
notifies the control unit 111 of the apparatus ID of the newly
specified target apparatus (Step S18). In response to the
notification, the control unit 111 repeats the operation from Step
S15.
[0100] Further, when the pressing of the target apparatus switch
operation button has not been detected in Step S17, but the switch
operation detecting unit 108 detects the user pressing of any of
the control buttons (Step S19), the apparatus specifying unit 107
is notified of the pressing of the button and controls the remote
control signal transmission control unit 112 so as to transmit a
remote control signal based on the control data 225 contained in
the apparatus control data 220 to an apparatus currently specified
as the target apparatus to be controlled (Step S20). In the
apparatus control data 220, the control data 225 corresponds to one
of the function numbers 223 represented by the identification
number of the control button that has been pressed by the user.
[0101] Either after Step S20 is completed or when the pressing of
the control button is not detected in Step S19, the operation of
the remote control device 100 returns to Step S17.
[0102] FIGS. 6A and 6B both illustrate an example of the positions
of various apparatuses placed in the room and the remote control
device carried by the user. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the right hand of
the drawing is the east, and the left hand is the west. FIG. 6A is
a top view, and FIG. 6B is a side view viewed from the south The
example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B corresponds to the example of the
content of the apparatus position data in FIG. 3.
[0103] In the following, a specific operation is explained, when
the power button is pressed, given that the remote control device
100 is at a position indicated by x-y-z coordinates (300, 150, 100)
as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0104] When the power button is pressed, the remote control device
obtains positions of the remote control device and the apparatuses
(Step S11 and Step S12), and then generates the apparatus order
list as shown in FIG. 7 (Step S13).
[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus that is the shortest in
distance to the remote control device 100 is a TV. Then, a VCR, a
lighting apparatus A, an air-conditioner, and a lighting apparatus
B follow in ascending order of distance.
[0106] Accordingly, the remote control device 100 specifies the TV
that is the shortest in distance to the remote control device 100
as the target apparatus (Step S14), andobtains data necessary for
controlling the TV unless the data has already been obtained (Step
S15), and displays the operation screen for the TV (Step S16).
[0107] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the remote control device 100
with the operation screen displayedonthe liquidcrystal display 121.
FIG. 8A shows an operation screen for the TV, and FIG. 8B shows an
operation screen for the air-conditioner. When the remote control
device 100 is at the position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
operation screen for the TV as shown in FIG. 8A is first displayed
in Step S16. The operation screen for the TV is based on the
apparatus control data shown in FIG. 4.
[0108] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the remote control
device 100 includes a power button 123, a target apparatus switch
operation button 124, and control buttons 122a-122g. The control
button 122a corresponds to the function number 1, the control
button 122b corresponds to the function number 2, and the control
button 122c corresponds to the function number 3, respectively, in
the apparatus control data.
[0109] After displaying the operation screen for the TV (Step S16),
if the user presses the control button 122a, the pressing of the
button is detected (Step S19), the remote control device 100
transmits the remote control signal based on the control data 225
that corresponds to the function number 223 representing the number
1 in the apparatus control data 220 (Step S20).
[0110] After displaying the operation screen for the TV (Step S16),
if the user presses the target apparatus switch operation button,
is detected (Step S17), and the remote control device 100 displays
the operation screen for the VCR that is the next shortest in
distance to the remote control device 100 (Steps S18, S15, and
S16). If the target apparatus switch operation button is pressed
three times, the remote control device 100 displays the operation
screen for the air conditioner as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0111] Accordingly, it is possible that the user easily controls
the TV by carrying the remote control device near the TV and
presses any button for controlling the TV, and if the user carries
the remote control device near the air-conditioner and presses any
button to control the air-conditioner, the user may easily controls
the air-conditioner. In addition, even when the user wishes to
control the apparatus that is not the shortest in distance to the
current position of the remote control device, the user may control
the desired apparatus relatively easily by pressing the target
apparatus switch operation button for a necessary number of times,
because the operation screen of each apparatus is displayed in the
liquid crystal display in an order of the distance to the remote
control device every time the target apparatus switch operation
button is pressed.
[0112] [Variation 1]
[0113] The following describes a remote control device 400 as a
variation of the remote control device 100 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the remote control device
400.
[0115] FIG. 9A shows the operation screen for the TV, and FIG. 9B
shows the operation screen for the air-conditioner.
[0116] A difference from the remote control device 100 is that the
remote control device 400 does not include buttons on a case. The
remote control device 400 is provided with a touch panel that
detects the position on the panel when the user touches any given
part on the panel.
[0117] Moreover, the remote control device 400 also includes a
sensor that detects a vibration of the case. It is sufficient if
the sensor is capable of detecting that the user shakes the case at
a vibration stronger than a predetermined intensity. An
acceleration sensor can be adopted, for example.
[0118] Functional elements of the remote control device 400 are
substantially the same with the remote control device 100, and
includes the apparatus communication unit 101, the apparatus
position obtaining unit 102, the apparatus position storing unit
103, the apparatus information obtaining unit 104, the apparatus
information storing unit 105, the self-position detecting unit 106,
the apparatus specifying unit 107, the switch operation detecting
unit 108, the display unit 109, the control operation detecting
unit 110, the control unit 111, and the remote control signal
transmission control unit 112 (See FIG. 1). Operations of some of
the above units, however, are slightly different from the units in
the remote control device 100. The following explains about
different parts in the remote control device 400 from the remote
control device 100.
[0119] The apparatus information storing unit 105 in the remote
control device 400 stores the apparatus control data for each of
the apparatuses including the apparatus ID and data defining the
operation screen for the apparatus, as well as a script for
specifying the remote control signal according to the positions on
the operation screen that the user specifies via the touch panel.
The apparatus control data is obtained from each apparatus by the
apparatus information obtaining unit 104 and stored in the
apparatus information storing unit 105 in the remote control device
400.
[0120] The control operation detecting unit 110 in the remote
control device 400 detects the user's operation via the touch panel
as the control operation, and detects the position that the user
touches on the touch panel, notifies the control unit 111 of the
detected position. The control unit specifies the remote control
signal corresponding to the position on the touch panel that the
user touched by performing the script for the apparatus specified
by the apparatus specifying unit 107, and make the remote control
signal transmission control unit 112 transmit the remote control
signal.
[0121] When the switch operation detecting unit 108 in the remote
control device 400 detects the vibration stronger than the
predetermined intensity via the sensor, i.e that the user shakes
the case at the vibration stronger than the predetermined
intensity, the switch operation detecting unit 108 notifies the
apparatus specifying unit 107 that the switch operation has been
performed.
[0122] Further, the remote control device 400 starts the operation
shown in FIG. 5 not upon pressing of the power button, but starts
the operations after Step S12 in FIG. 5 only when, by performing
the operation in Step S11 periodically, such as every 15 seconds,
to confirm the position of the remote control device 400, the
current position of the remote control device 400 has moved more
than a predetermined distance, such as 30 cm, since the last
confirmation.
[0123] Accordingly, if the user carries the remote control device
400 and moves inside the room, the display of the remote control
device 400 always shows the operation screen for the apparatus that
is the shortest to the remote control device 400 in distance. When
the user wishes to control another apparatus that is not the
shortest to the remote control device 400 in distance without
moving, the operation screen of the another apparatus is shown in
the order that is listed in the apparatus order list every time the
user shakes the remote control device 400 stronger than the
predetermined intensity.
[0124] If the user presses the button shown on the liquid crystal
display when such an operation screen illustrated in FIG. 9A or 9B
is displayed, the remote control device 400 transmits the remote
control signal corresponding to the button that has been
pressed.
[0125] [Variation 2]
[0126] The following describes a remote control device 500 as
another variation of the remote control device 100 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0127] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explanation of an operation of the
remote control device 500.
[0128] The remote control device 500 controls the apparatus by
referring to a facing direction of the remote control device, and
includes a sensor that detects a direction that a head of the case
faces. The case of the remote control device 500 is made
rectangular so that the user can easily recognize the facing
direction that the remote control device 500.
[0129] The sensor for the remote control device 500 may be a sensor
that detects the direction of the remote control device 500 based
on a direction of gravity and geomagnetism, a sensor that detects
the direction of the remote control device 500 based on the
positioning system 140 by measuring two points in the case, or the
like.
[0130] The remote control device 500 is such that the remote
control signal is sent out mainly to a straight direction from the
head of the remote control device, like a conventional rectangular
remote control device designed for a TV and such.
[0131] Functional elements of the remote control device 500 are
substantially the same with the remote control device 100, and
includes the apparatus communication unit 101, the apparatus
position obtaining unit 102, the apparatus position storing unit
103, the apparatus information obtaining unit 104, the apparatus
information storing unit 105, the self-position detecting unit 106,
the apparatus specifying unit 107, the switch operation detecting
unit 108, the display unit 109, the control operation detecting
unit 110, the control unit 111, and the remote control signal
transmission control unit 112 (See FIG. 1). Operations of the
self-position detecting unit 106 and the apparatus specifying unit
107, however, are slightly different, as explained below, from the
self-position detecting unit 106 and the apparatus specifying unit
107 in the remote control device 100.
[0132] The self-position detecting unit 106 detects the facing
direction of the remote control device 500 as well as x-y-z
coordinates indicating a position of the remote control device 500
by using the positioning system 140. The apparatus specifying unit
107 receives information about the position and the facing
direction of the remote control device 500 detected by the
self-position detecting unit 106, receives the apparatus position
data stored in the apparatus position storing unit 103 via the
apparatus position obtaining unit 102. The apparatus specifying
unit 107 also specifies an apparatus that is the shortest in
distance to the remote control device 500 as the target apparatus
out of apparatuses that are in an area within a predetermined angle
8, such as 600, in the facing direction of the remote control
device 500, and notifies the control unit 111 of the specified
apparatus. When the switch operation detecting unit 108 notifies
the apparatus specifying unit 107 of the switch operation, the
apparatus specifying unit 107 specifies an apparatus that is the
next shortest in distance to the remote control device 500 as the
target apparatus, and notifies the control unit 111 of the newly
specified apparatus.
[0133] Accordingly, when the remote control device 500 performs the
operation shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus order list generated in
Step S13 includes only the apparatus IDs for the apparatuses in the
area within the angle 0 in the facing direction of the remote
control device 500 in ascending order of distance to the remote
control device 500. As a result, an operation screen for an
apparatus that is not positioned in the facing direction of the
remote control device 500 is not selected to be shown in the liquid
crystal display.
[0134] In the example of FIG. 10, an operation screen for an
apparatus X 502, which the remote control device 500 faces, is
shown on the liquid crystal display. An operation screen for an
apparatus Y 503, however, may not be shown on the liquid crystal
display even if the user presses the target apparatus switch
operation button.
[0135] Although the facing direction of the remote control device
500 detected by the sensor and the area within the angle 0 in the
facing direction described in the second variation of the
embodiment is a direction in three dimensional space, the facing
direction of the remote control device 500 may also be a direction
either in a vertical plane or in a horizontal plane.
[0136] [Complementary Explanation]
[0137] In the above explanation, the remote control device
according to the present invention is detailed based on the
preferred embodiment and the first and second variations of the
embodiment. However, such aremote control device can be further
modified partially, and the present invention is not restricted to
the above described embodiment and variations. Some of the specific
examples are given below.
[0138] (1) A method in which the remote control device calculates
the current position of the remote control device is not restricted
to a method using the positioning system 140, and other methods can
be employed. For example, it is possible that the remote control
device is equipped with a function for receiving signals from the
GPS satellites and calculates the position of the remote control
device by using the received signals from the GPS satellites
instead of using the positioning system 140. This method also
enables the remote control device to easily control apparatuses
that are positioned separately in a relatively large area. Further,
it is also possible that the positioning system 140 includes more
than 3 radiowave sources.
[0139] (2) The remote control device may also be structured as a
mobile phone having a liquid crystal display. By having such a
structure, the user may easily control apparatuses around the user
by operating the mobile phone that the user always carries.
Moreover, the user may also control various apparatuses in various
places, such as in a user's house, office, and a friend's house,
without carrying any particular device other than the mobile
phone.
[0140] (3) While the remote control device 100 described in the
embodiment receives the information indicating the position and the
apparatus ID of each apparatus after the power button is pressed,
the remote control device of the present invention may also receive
the information by requesting each apparatus when a predetermined
button is pressed, regardless of the pressing of the power
button.
[0141] Further, it is also possible that the user inputs the
apparatus position data as shown in FIG. 3 in the remote control
device 100 in advance so that the data is stored in the nonvolatile
memory, and the remote control device 100 periodically performs the
operation shown in FIG. 5 as long as the remote control device 100
is supplied power from batteries. In this case, the information
indicating the position and the apparatus ID of each apparatus is
not received in Step S12. Instead, the apparatus position obtaining
unit 102 reads and obtains the information from the nonvolatile
memory, and transmits the information to the apparatus specifying
unit 107. The apparatus ID may be an IP address of the apparatus,
or the user may decides and inputs the apparatus ID so as to
identify each apparatus.
[0142] Moreover, the remote control device may collect each element
of the apparatus control data (See FIG. 4) of each apparatus
through a network such as the Internet. The remote control device
may also be such that the remote control device does not receive
the apparatus control data from outside of the remote control
device, and use a read only memory (ROM) as the apparatus
information storing unit 105 and each element of the apparatus
control data of many kinds of apparatuses is stored in the ROM in
advance.
[0143] (4) The remote control device specifies an apparatus as the
target apparatus to be controlled based on the relation between the
positions of the remote control device and each of the apparatuses,
and then transmits the remote control signal to control the target
apparatus according to the user operation. The positions of the
remote control device and each of the apparatuses are not
restricted to three-dimensional positions indicated by x-y-z
coordinates, and may be planar positions indicated by x-y
coordinates, for example. In this case, an apparatus is specified
as the target apparatus based on the positional relation between
the remote control device and each of the apparatuses on an x-y
plane, such as the distance between the remote control device and
the apparatus.
[0144] (5) The remote control device may also be such that an
apparatus of which the user has pressed the control buttons is
recorded in user operation history in the nonvolatile memory, and
the apparatus specifying unit 107 first specifies, as the target
apparatus, an apparatus that has been most frequently operated by
the user out of apparatuses that are placed within a predetermined
distance from the remote control device, such as 3 m. Further, the
remote control device may also be such that the remote control
device identifies each user by an authorization using such as
password, the user operation history is stored for each user
separately in the nonvolatile memory, and the apparatus specifying
unit 107 first specifies, as the target apparatus, an apparatus
that has been most frequently operated by the user, who is
currently operating the remote control device, out of apparatuses
that are placed within a predetermined distance from the remote
control device.
[0145] Further, it is also possible to set time periods such as
"morning", "afternoon", "evening", "night", and the user operation
history includes information about the time periods. In this case,
the apparatus specifying unit 107 first specifies, as the target
apparatus, an apparatus that has been most frequently operated
during a time period in which a current time is included, by the
user, out of apparatuses that are placed within the predetermined
distance from the remote control device. In addition, the remote
control device may also store information about in what time period
each apparatus is used. In this case, the apparatus specifying unit
107 first specifies based on the information, as the target
apparatus, an apparatus that is to be controlled during the current
time period out of apparatuses that are placed within a
predetermined distance from the remote control device. Moreover, if
the target apparatus has a function for receiving broadcasting, the
remote control device may also display a program schedule in the
liquid crystal display suitable for the current time.
[0146] (6) Either infrared rays or radiowaves may be used as the
remote control signals for controlling the target apparatus
transmitted form the remote control device.
[0147] The infrared rays may be emitted in a radial direction
instead of only one direction, and the radiowaves may be
transmitted without having any particular direction. By doing so,
the user does not have to recognize the direction of the remote
control device when operating. When an apparatus is specified as
the target apparatus by referring to the direction of the remote
control device, as shown in the second variation, however, it is
preferable that the infrared rays and radiowaves are transmitted
mainly in one direction from the case of the remote control
device.
[0148] (7) A program that enables the CPU to execute the control
operations for realizing functions of the remote control device
described in the embodiment (See FIG. 5) may be distributed as a
recording medium that stores the program or through different kinds
of network and such. Examples of such a recording medium include an
IC card, an optical disc, a flexible disc, a ROM, and the like. The
distributed program may be utilized by being stored in memory and
such which is readable by the CPU provided to a portable device.
Each of the functions of the remote control device described in the
embodiment is realized by the CPU executing the program.
[0149] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is
to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such
changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present
invention, they should be construed as being included therein.
* * * * *